Chapter 14

Lan Yun’er walked into the courtyard. Initially, she intended to head toward the main gate, but she paused when she heard sounds coming from Cao Yunxia’s room.

“That wretched Lan Yun’er! The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Why did such a vile woman have to marry into the Huo family!” Cao Yunxia’s voice was filled with resentment and gritted teeth.

After lying in bed, unable to sleep, Cao Yunxia had been stewing over the events of the day. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. The anger burned within her, refusing to let her rest.

“Just let it go. Get some sleep,” Huo Junda’s weary voice came through. He was evidently already asleep but had been woken by her.

Cao Yunxia huffed, “How can I let it go? That wretched woman not only snatched the malted milk powder today but even kicked me twice! The places she kicked are still hurting now!” Gritting her teeth, her anger deepened. “No way. I can’t let this slide. She kicked me, so I’ll have to demand medical expenses from her! And as for the malted milk powder, she better buy another tin for Tianhe!”

Because there was no malted milk powder for Tianhe, he barely ate dinner tonight. Just thinking about it broke her heart. It was all Lan Yun’er’s fault. If that wretched woman hadn’t given the tin to Aunt He, Tianhe wouldn’t have suffered like this.

“Fine, do whatever you want,” Huo Junda muttered, turning over and going back to sleep.

Cao Yunxia, still fuming, spat disdainfully, “That vile woman! Such a wretched creature! I curse her to hell!”

Outside in the courtyard, Lan Yun’er listened to Cao Yunxia’s ranting and smirked slightly.

Cao Yunxia truly was something else—staying up late to curse her. Tsk, tsk. If someone was already badmouthing her, wouldn’t she seem too saintly if she didn’t do anything in return?

Glancing toward Cao Yunxia’s room, Lan Yun’er chuckled quietly before heading back toward the gate. But after taking just one step, she stopped.

She turned her head slightly to look back.

From her and Huo Jincheng’s room, she heard faint footsteps. It was evident that Huo Jincheng had gotten up.

Although his movements were extremely light, barely audible, Lan Yun’er wasn’t an ordinary person. Even the slightest sound didn’t escape her ears.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and her expression darkened.

Now that Huo Jincheng was awake, it was impossible for her to leave. If she tried, he would undoubtedly question her.

Frowning in thought for a few seconds, she redirected her steps toward the outhouse. With her current plan foiled, she had to make a temporary detour.

Huo Jincheng carefully crept out of bed in the dark. Looking up, he saw Lan Yun’er heading toward the outhouse. Relaxing his tightly furrowed brow, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Earlier, he had thought she was sneaking out in the middle of the night to meet Wang Zhiqiang, suspecting that her heart still belonged to him.

Now, seeing that she was just using the toilet, the tension in his mind eased, and he inwardly reproached himself.

He shouldn’t have doubted her or assumed the worst. She had said she wanted to live a good life with him. He should trust her.

Under the night sky, his gaze softened as he watched her blurred figure, his eyes filling with tender affection.

At the outhouse, Lan Yun’er crouched down and cast a spell with her fingers. Instantly, five birds appeared.

She lowered her voice, giving the birds a few quiet instructions. The birds nodded repeatedly before flapping their wings and flying off.

Afterward, she summoned a group of plump rats. In an era of food shortages, it was no small feat for these rats to grow so fat.

Her eyes glinted with sly light as she issued commands to the rats. Once they understood, she sent them away.

Remaining crouched for a while longer, she finally stood when her legs began to tingle. She then lazily made her way back to the room.

Back inside, she saw Huo Jincheng lying in bed as if he had fallen back into a deep sleep. She raised her eyebrows slightly, a small smile playing on her lips.

Was he worried about her? Afraid she’d sneak out to meet Wang Zhiqiang in the middle of the night?

Tsk, tsk. He sure had a vivid imagination. But who could blame him? The original Lan Yun’er had caused this. She had frequently snuck out to meet Wang Zhiqiang, after all. His suspicions were understandable.

Climbing back into bed, she snuggled closer to him.

Her body, chilled from the cold air outside, sent a sharp contrast of cold against his warmth.

Though he noticed, he didn’t pull away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.

Pulling her close, he pressed his chin gently against the top of her head and asked softly, “Did you go to the outhouse?”

His low, warm voice was like the sound of a cello, stirring something deep within her.

She answered with a nasal hum, “Mm-hmm. Did I wake you?”

“No,” he said, rubbing her back gently with his warm palm. “Go to sleep. It’s late.”

Lan Yun’er nodded. “Okay.” And she really did fall asleep in his arms.

About an hour later, a sharp cry pierced through the quiet air.

The scream came from Cao Yunxia’s room.

“Ahhh! Help!” Cao Yunxia’s terrified voice rang out.

Huo Junda’s frantic shouting followed: “Go away! Get away from me!”

The noise woke Lan Yun’er, and she furrowed her brows in irritation before a sly smile spread across her face.

She had wanted to get up to enjoy the show, but the cozy bed was too comfortable, and she couldn’t muster the will to move.

Huo Jincheng, however, had already gotten out of bed.

He slipped on his worn cotton jacket and cautiously made his way to the door in the dark.

Outside, the voices of Huo Jianzhang and Yao Guizhi could be heard; they, too, had been woken by the commotion.

Moments later, Yao Guizhi’s scolding voice echoed through the courtyard.

“Serves you right! It’s your own fault! Those things didn’t bite us; they only went after you two. That’s what you get for having ill intentions. This is karma—you deserved it!”

Cao Yunxia cried pitifully, “Mom, it hurts so much!”

But Yao Guizhi only yelled back, “You deserve the pain!”

Author’s Note:
Lan Yun’er: “Cursing me behind my back? Heh heh heh~”